BACKWARD GLANCES - Fire department decides to let building burn

Thursday

May 24, 2012 at 12:01 AMMay 24, 2012 at 5:24 PM

See what was happening in Redwood Falls 50, 25, and 10 years ago this week.

Joshua Dixon, Staff Writer

1962—50 years ago
• When the fire department was called out to a shelter house fire near Ramsey Falls, they decided to let the building burn.
The dilapidated shelter, with its heavy shingled roof, was considered a hazard to children playing in the area.
• So many people attended the Chamber of Commerce rodeo fundraiser that the fair board had to set up temporary grandstands around the race track.
• The Redwood Falls High School class of 1962 graduated with 89 members — the same number they started kindergarten with in 1950, although the number varied from 56 to 99 over the years.
• Brian O’Leary, a letter winner in football, baseball, and basketball, was named the RFHS outstanding athlete of 1962.
• As part of a nationwide “golden blossoms” effort, Girl Scout Troop 53 planted marigolds on the Mill St. “Y” intersection.
1987—25 years ago
• Local veterans service organizations dedicated the Redwood Falls airport to the late Maj. General Richard Cook.
• Fourth graders in Mrs. Okins’ reading class typed their life stories into an Apple II computer to create an official class biography.
• Work began on the new Lions Club-sponsored band shell overlooking Lake Redwood.
• Although the synod’s transition team ranked Redwood Falls behind Willmar and Marshall, local supporters were still hopeful the Lutheran headquarters could be brought to Redwood Falls.
• When Rick Thielen began remodeling the old doctor’s office on Washington St., he uncovered a treasure trove of 50 year old — to the week — newspapers being used as insulation between the walls.
2002—10 years ago
• The 10 old cottonwood trees in the center of the Redwood Speedway were chopped down to give racing fans a better view of the track.
• Nancy Haapoja met President Bush while in Washington D.C. as part of a delegation to discuss the upcoming election.
• The Minnesota Inventors Hall of Fame moved its permanent display out from the Redwood County Museum to the community center.
• At 10 a.m., May 24 2002, Orrin Estebo officially opened the new 18-hole Redwood Falls golf course with a shot from the new hole number one.
• Nearly $350,000 in scholarships were given out at the 2002 Redwood Valley Evening of the Stars program.